Utah Special Function Officer (SFO) Practice Exam

What type of threats does the TSA focus on preventing?

1. Cybersecurity breaches

2. Physical attacks on transportation systems

3. Natural disasters affecting transport

4. Economic issues related to transportation

The correct answer is: Physical attacks on transportation systems

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) primarily focuses on preventing physical attacks on transportation systems, which includes threats such as terrorism and sabotage against various modes of transportation—air, rail, and mass transit. This emphasis is due to the agency's mandate to secure the nation's transportation networks and ensure public safety while traveling. While cybersecurity breaches, natural disasters, and economic issues can impact transportation, they fall outside the TSA's core mission. Cybersecurity, for instance, is typically addressed by other agencies with specific expertise in that area. Natural disasters are generally managed by agencies such as FEMA, which have the infrastructure and resources to deal with emergency response. Economic issues related to transportation do not directly relate to safety and security, which is the primary concern of the TSA. Thus, the focus on preventing physical attacks aligns with the agency's objective of safeguarding the safety of passengers and transportation infrastructures from deliberate harm.